ACCC proposes to authorise alliance between Virgin-SIA alliance

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued (13-Oct-2011) a draft decision proposing to grant authorisation for Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines' (SIA) alliance. Under the alliance, the airlines will cooperate on all aspects of their Australia-Singapore services and any international and domestic connecting routes, including joint pricing and scheduling and joint marketing and sales. "The ACCC considers that this alliance is likely to result in material benefits to the public including enhanced products and services, in particular increased online connectivity for passengers," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said. "The ACCC also considers the alliance is likely to make Virgin Australia more competitive with other airlines, including Qantas." Virgin and Singapore Airlines both welcomed the decision. [more - original PR - ACCC] [more - original PR - Virgin Australia] [more - original PR - Singapore Airlines]